The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-06-01
REV. DR.. TALMAGE.
THE BROOKLYN PASTORS SUN
DAY SERMON
Subject: From Twelve to Three
O'clock"

TEXT: "WIatchman, ,chat of the night p
Isaiah xxi, ..
When night came down on Babylon, Nine
| veh, and Jerusalem, they needed carefu
watching, otherwise the incendiary'S torch
might have been thrust into the very heart
| of the metropolitan Splendor; or enemies,
marching from the hills, might have forced
the gates. All night long. on top of the wall
and in front Of the gates, might he heard the
measured step of the watchman on his soil
tary beat; silence hung in the air, save as
some passer-by raised the question: Watch
man, what Of the night! q
It is to me deeply suggestive and solemn
thing to see man standing guard by night.
It thrilled through me, as at the gate Of an
arsenal in Charleston, the question once
Smote me: "NVho comes there." followed
by the sharp command: Advance and give
stands on picket. or patrols the wall as
| watchman. His work is to sound the alarm;
and whether it be in the first watch, in the
! second watch, in the third watch, or in the
| fourth watch, to be vigilant until the daybreak
! filings its morning glories" of blooming
cloud across the arching trellis of the sky.
The ancients divided their night into four
parts-the first watch, from six to nine; the
: second, from nine to twelve; the third, from
~
| to six.
speak now of the city in the third watch,
, or from twelve to three o'clock, at that sea-
son of the year when the days and nights are
about equal
I never weary looking upon the life and
brilliancy of the city in the first watch. That
is the hour when the stores are closing. The
laboring men, having quilted the scatfolding
and the shop, are OH their way home. 1t
! rejoices me to give them my seat in the city
car. They have stood and hammered away
all day. Their feet are weary. They are ex-
hausted with the tug of work. They are
, mostly cheerful With appetiteS sharpened on
the swift turner's wheel and the carpenters
milestone, they seek the evening meal. The
clerks, too, have broken away from the
counter, and with brain weary OF the long
line of figures, and the whims of those who 60
a-shopping seek tine face of mother, or wife
and child. The merchants are embarrassing
themselves from their anXietieS ON their way
up the street. The boys that lock up are
heaving away at the shutters, showing the
heavy bolts, and if it be winter taking last
streets are thronged with young men, setting
out from the great centers of bargain
making.
Let idlers clear the street and give right Of
way to the besweated artisans and merchants.
They have earned their bread and are now
OH their way home to get it.
The lights in full jet hang over 10, 600 even
table the children between. Thank God,
''who setteth the solitary in families"
A few hours later and all the places OF
amusement, good and bad, are in full tide.
Lovers Of art, catalogue in hand, stroll
through the galleries AMI discuss the pictures.
The ballroom is resplendent with the rich ap-
parel of those who, ,on either side of the white,
glistening boards, await the signal from the
orchestra. The footlights of the theatre fash
out from the gorgeous scenery glide the actors,
greeted with the vociferation Of the expectant
multitudes. Concert-halls are lifted into en-
chantment with the warble of one songstress,
or swept out on sea of tumultuous feeling
by the blast of braZen instruments Draw
ing-rooms are filled with all gracefulness of
apparel, with all sweetness of sound, with all
splendor of manner; mirrors are catching up
and multiplying the scene, until it seems as II
in infinite corridors there were garlanded
groups advancing and retreating.
The outdoor air rings with laughter, and
with the moving to and fro Of thousands on
the great promenades. The dashing span
adrip with the foam Of the long country ride,
rushes past as you halt at the curb-stone.
cence mipgle in the great metropolitan pic
ture. until the thinking man goes home to
think more seriously. and the praying man
to pray more earnestly.
A beautiful and overwhelming thing is the
city in the first and second watches OF the
night.
But the clock strikes twelve, and the third
watch has begun.
The thunder of the city has rolled out of the
air. The slightest sounds cut the night with
such distinction as 10 ,>>..raat your attention.
L. - f>,1 I(p ocf,.o In,
the distance, and the baying of the dog. The
stamp of horse in the next street. The
slamming of q saloon door. The hiccough OF
the drllnkard The shrieks of the steam
whistle five miles away. Oh, how suggestive,
my friends, the third watch of the mig ght!
There are honest men passing up and down
the street. Here is city missionary who has
been carrying a scuttle of coal to that poor
family in that dark place. Here is an under
taker going up the steps Of building from
which there comes bitter cry which indicates
that the destroying angel has smitten the
first-born. Here is O minister of religion who
has been giving the sacrament to dying
Christian Here is physician passing along
in great haste, the messenger a few steps
ahead, hurrying CT to the household.
Nearly all the lights have gone out in the
dwellings, for it is the third watch Of the
night. That light in the window is the light
of the watcher, for the medicines must be ad
ministered, and the fever must be watched
and the restless tossing of OF the coverlld
must be resisted, and the ice must be kept on
the hot temples, and the perpetual prayer
must go up from hearts soon to be broken.
D, the third watch of the night! What
stupendous thought-a whole city at rest!
Weary arm preparing for to-rnorrom's toll.
Hot brain being cooled off. Rigid muscles
relaxed Excited nerves soothed. The white
hair of the octogenarian in thin drifts across
the pillow, fresh fall Of flakes on snow already
fallen Childhood with its dimpled hands
thrown out on the pillow and with every
breath taking in a new store of fun and
frolic Third watch Of the night! Gods
slumberless eye will look. Let one great wave
Of refreshing slumber roll over the heart Of
the great town, submerging care, and an1-
iety, and worriment, and pain.
Let the CITY sleep. But, my friends, be not
deceived There will be thousands tonight
who will not sleep at all. Go up that dark
alley, and be cautious where you tread, lest
you fall over the prostrate form Of drunk
ard lying on his own doorstep. Look about
you, lest you feel the garroter's hug. Look
through the broken window-pane, and see
what you can see. You say: Nothing.
Then listen. What is itl "God
help usM No footlights, but tragedy
ghastlier and mightiey than Ristori or
Edwin Booth ever enacted. No light, no
fire, no bread, no hope If it be winter,
shivering in the cold, and they have had had no
food for twenty four hours. Yousay: "Why
don't they begl" They do, but they get
nothing. You say: why don't they
deliver themselves over to the almshouser
All! you would not ask that if you ever heard
30 Oh, uhaYf fnl